Theatre seeks permission for new car park
Under-threat Titchfield Festival Theatre has unveiled plans for a new car park in the latest twist in a planning row over the site.
The three-theatre venue has applied for planning permission for a paddock opposite the venue in St Margaret’s Lane to be turned into a 97-space car park for use by its customers.
It follows an appeal it has lodged over enforcement action taken by Fareham Borough Council after the newest 450-seater theatre was built without planning permission – something the theatre insists it does not need.
A lack of car parking was a concern previously raised by the council, however the venue hopes its application will allay those concerns.
The site in Titchfield, west of Fareham, is currently a green field with wooden stables at its north eastern side used for keeping horses.
Supporters have thrown their weight is throwing its support behind the plan, with the idea being dubbed the “icing on the cake”.
Among the comments, which have had names and addresses redacted by planners, one person said: “This is absolutely essential. This will greatly improve safety for drivers and pedestrians in the vicinity on days when the theatre is in use.”
A transport report used the now withdrawn Hampshire County Council parking standards for cinemas, theatres and music venues as a guide, which said one car park space needs to be provided for every five fixed seats.
If approved, the theatre will be able to provide a total of 132 spaces, enough for 660 seats.
The report, prepared by Paul Basham Associates, concluded the impact of traffic on the area is negligible.
The application said the site needs two-way traffic access permission via St Margaret’s Road and sustainable drainage to be built to take away surface water.
Planners have set April 30 as a target date for a decision on the latest application for the car park.
For more details visit Fareham Borough Council’s planning portal and search for reference P/24/0304/FP.
This will greatly improvesafety for drivers and pedestrians on days when the theatre is in use